Who Should I Start? Deshaun Watson or D'Andre Swift


Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
7.3 5.6 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Deshaun Watson News

Browns Naming Deshaun Watson as Starting Quarterback

Monday, August 24, 6:14 AM

The Cleveland Browns have named veteran quarterback Deshaun Watson as their starter for the 2026 season, according to NFL Insider Jordan Schultz. Watson battled second-year quarterback Shedeur Sanders throughout training camp and two-up-and-down preseason games, and with neither able to take a clear grasp on the role, head coach Todd Monken's decision did not come until late August. Watson completed only five of 12 pass attempts in the team's second preseason game on Saturday, adding an interception to his lost fumble from preseason game one, but he showed enough in practice to earn the starting job in what will be his tenth professional season. A three-time Pro Bowler with the Houston Texans, Watson was acquired by the Browns in 2022, where he has gone 9-10 as a starter and most recently missed the entire 2025 season after rupturing his Achilles tendon for the second time. Watson is RotoBaller's QB32, and he will be backed up by Sanders.


Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
12.5 57.7 0.5 2.0 16.3 0.1

D'Andre Swift News

D'Andre Swift a Middle-Round Value in an Ascending Offense

Monday, August 17, 5:26 AM

Throughout his first six years in the league, Chicago Bears running back D'Andre Swift has had his detractors, but he has never finished outside the top 24 of his position, and in reuniting with head coach Ben Johnson in 2025, he turned in a career-best RB15 fantasy finish. Splitting work with rookie Kyle Monangai (knee), Swift topped 1,000 rushing yards for the second time in his career while tying his high mark of 10 total touchdowns. Monangai left Sunday's practice with a knee injury, and while it's not believed to be overly serious, his absence serves as a reminder that any time missed could lead to a bell-cow role for Swift in what projects to be one of the highest-scoring offenses in the league. Currently being drafted as the RB22, Swift can meet expectations simply by performing to the level he always has, but with multiple avenues for further upside, he could prove to be one of the better values in the middle rounds of 2026 drafts.


Deshaun Watson vs. D'Andre Swift

Still trying to decide between Watson and Swift? Check on the latest news to make sure both players are active and healthy. Our PPR projections show that Deshaun Watson is projected to score 7.3 points this week while D'Andre Swift is projected to score 12.5 points.